It was a cold winter morning, blessed with sunshine that lured people to the main entrance of Instituto Superior Técnico, in Lisbon, enjoying the warm rays while chatting about … energy. Their badges revealed a shared purpose, the conference Driving Energy Transition in EU: The Role of Electric Mobility, promoted by the INESC-ID project EV4EU.

The event gathered on January 15 specialists from around the world, coming both from research institutes and companies, to discuss electric mobility and the energy transition in Europe. An issue that INESC-ID project coordinator and Conference Chair, Hugo Morais, described as the “chicken-and-egg” dilemma of EV adoption: “no cars without infrastructure, and no infrastructure without cars.”

Some of the project in focus are intended to solve the riddle, such as the Scale Project – a user-centric approach, involving seven countries, to address the complexities of scaling EV infrastructure; DRIVE2X, with demos in Maia, Portugal, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, highlighting real-world applications of EV technology, the project aims to accelerate the uptake of vehicle electrification through new bi-directional smart charging technologies; FLOW Project, that tackles the increase in energy efficiency through energy exchange with buildings, vehicles and the grid and XL-Connect, in which the main goal is to optimize the entire charging process, from the energy generation until the end user, by developing a digital twin of the entire system and developing optimal smart charging technologies.

At the opening session, Inês Lynce, President of the Board of Directors, aptly remarked that we are living in the best time in history to discuss such a relevant topic. “We are in the right place, at the right time,” she said, emphasizing the importance of attracting young people to contribute to this transformative journey. Rogério Colaço, President of Instituto Superior Técnico, added that the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) represents “one of the greatest challenges of our time”, but one that is critical. He noted that EVs are inherently “more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles”, a fact that underpins their central role in the energy transition.

Voices from Portugal and Beyond

Admitting the problem is more than ten years old, Jorge Martins from REN, presented the new Fast charging using transmission network Speed-E, with the belief that “this time, the market will take off”. “Electric trucks, though fewer in number, hold immense relevance due to the extensive kilometres they cover.

“The issue is not energy availability but power capacity, especially during peak demand”, stressed Hugo Morais, while Rui Gonçalves, from E-Redes, emphasized the need for significant grid upgrades, with planned investments increasing by 50% between 2026 and 2030. “Flexibility”, he argued, is key to address the challenges of energy transition for grids.

Portugal was celebrated as a case study in electric mobility. Débora Melo Fernandes, lawyer and Partner at Pérez-Llorca, specialized in energy, highlighted the country’s pioneering 2010 regulatory framework, which fostered a user-centric and competitive ecosystem. Débora outlined challenges such as fragmented regulations and lengthy permitting processes but emphasized the opportunities offered by aggregators and mechanisms like E-credits mandated by the latest Renewable Energy Directive, RED III, set for implementation by 2025.

Bruno Vieira, from EDA, brought the unique challenges of the Azores into focus. With nine islands and no capacity to export energy, the region faces distinct hurdles in adopting EVs and enhancing infrastructure. Meanwhile, Luís Prazeres, from Brisa, underscored the importance of education and training to boost performance and efficiency in the mobility sector.

Key Takeaways

With a large experience in the energy sector, the independent consultant António Vidigal sustained that electric vehicles have a significant role to play in the electrical systems of the future. And regulation can help. “Portugal is already recognized as a leading example in the adoption of renewable energy. It should also be a model for regulation that supports the energy transition”, he defended. The concept of “vehicles as batteries on wheels” offers immense potential for grid support, but current legislation limits V2G (vehicle-to-grid) applications, the specialist noted.

As Gonçalo Castelo Branco, from EDP Comercial, aptly put it, “whatever there is to come, we are still at the very beginning of what is going to be.” And as highlighted by INESC-ID’s President, Miguel Pupo Correia, the institute’s thematic lines and scientific areas underscore the societal importance of these efforts. Miguel noted that on a context of war, like the war in Ukraine, the energy systems are a target, including for cyberattacks.

And for great endeavours, collaboration is always the key, underlined Hugo Morais. “The future of electric mobility depends on interdisciplinary collaboration—regulators, consumers, and developers working hand in hand.”

Text by Sara Sá, Science Writer | Communications and Outreach Office, INESC-ID / © 2025 INESC-ID

Images | © EV4EU